Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astronomy
Scientific paper
Dec 2006
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2006aas...20910108j&link_type=abstract
2007 AAS/AAPT Joint Meeting, American Astronomical Society Meeting 209, #101.08; Bulletin of the American Astronomical Society,
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astronomy
Scientific paper
The extreme red supergiant and powerful infrared source and OH maser, VY CMa, is one of the most luminous evolved stars known. It also has an extensive visible circumstellar nebula. Previous multi-wavelength images and long-slit spectroscopy revealed spatially and kinematically distinct arcs and clumps of knots ejected in discrete episodes over the past 1000 years. However, the direction of the outflows and orientation of the structures in the nebulosity were not known. Fortunately, VY CMa provides us with a unique opportunity to determine the 3D morphology of its ejecta.
We report new HST observations of VY CMa. We have obtained second epoch multi-color images to measure the transverse motions which when combined with the Doppler velocities, yields the vector motion. We have also obtained polarization images which, together with the color derived from the images, can be used to derive the line of sight distribution of the different features in the nebula. The combined information on the kinematics, direction of the outflows, and relative locations of the numerous arcs and knots and ejecta allow us to produce a 3D image of VY CMa. This is not a model but based on real data. We believe that this is the first time a 3D image of an astronomical object has been produced from this type of combined observations.
Helton Andrew
Herbig George
Humphreys Roberta M.
Jones Terry J.
Wallerstein George
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